144
To obey (from the Latin ob-audire, to "hear or listen to") in faith
is to submit freely to the word that has been heard, because its truth is
guaranteed by God, who is Truth itself. Abraham is the model of such obedience
offered us by Sacred Scripture. the Virgin Mary is its most perfect embodiment.

Abraham -
"father of all who believe"

145
The Letter to the Hebrews, in its great eulogy of the faith of Israel's
ancestors, lays special emphasis on Abraham's faith: "By faith, Abraham
obeyed when he was called to go out to a place which he was to receive as an
inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was to go."4 By
faith, he lived as a stranger and pilgrim in the promised land.5 By
faith, Sarah was given to conceive the son of the promise. and by faith Abraham
offered his only son in sacrifice.6

146
Abraham thus fulfils the definition of faith in Hebrews 11:1: "Faith is
the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not
seen":7 "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as
righteousness."8 Because he was "strong in his faith",
Abraham became the "father of all who believe".9

147
The Old Testament is rich in witnesses to this faith. the Letter to the Hebrews
proclaims its eulogy of the exemplary faith of the ancestors who "received
divine approval".10 Yet "God had foreseen something better
for us": the grace of believing in his Son Jesus, "the pioneer and
perfecter of our faith".11

Mary -
"Blessed is she who believed"

148
The Virgin Mary most perfectly embodies the obedience of faith. By faith Mary
welcomes the tidings and promise brought by the angel Gabriel, believing that
"with God nothing will be impossible" and so giving her assent:
"Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be [done] to me according to
your word."12 Elizabeth greeted her: "Blessed is she who
believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."13
It is for this faith that all generations have called Mary blessed.14

149
Throughout her life and until her last ordeal15 when Jesus her son died
on the cross, Mary's faith never wavered. She never ceased to believe in the fulfilment
of God's word. and so the Church venerates in Mary the purest realization of
faith.